Saying it like it is
I actually enjoy reading liberal writer Camile Paglia's column in Salon because besides being an entertaining writer, she is one of the few liberals out there that veritably approaches having somewhat a concept of reality. Considering her strong, liberal pedigree, it is refreshing to see Paglia eschew the automaton mentality of the left, where they cease to think and instead retreat into their fantasy world, and instead look at an issue through the lens of reality and say it like it is.
In her latest column, Ms. Paglia expresses her "liberal" opinion on the fairness doctrine, and it is actually an opinion based on reality, not repetitious falsehoods and hypocrisy.
Speaking of talk radio (which I listen to constantly), I remain incredulous that any Democrat who professes liberal values would give a moment's thought to supporting a return of the Fairness Doctrine to muzzle conservative shows. (My latest manifesto on this subject appeared in my last column.) The failure of liberals to master the vibrant medium of talk radio remains puzzling. To reach the radio audience (whether the topic is sports, politics or car repair), a host must have populist instincts and use the robust common voice. Too many Democrats have become arrogant elitists, speaking down in snide, condescending tones toward tradition-minded middle Americans whom they stereotype as rubes and buffoons. But the bottom line is that government surveillance of the ideological content of talk radio is a shocking first step toward totalitarianism.
My favorite line, which I emphasized in bold and provide again below, is how Ms. Paglia pegs the typical liberal:
"Too many Democrats have become arrogant elitists, speaking down in snide, condescending tones toward tradition-minded middle Americans whom they stereotype as rubes and buffoons."
As a conservative, I could not have said it better myself. The only thing missing from this description--although it is well implied--is how their arrogance and condescension is solely a product of their deep-seated bigotry. Even a committed liberal such as Paglia recognizes that this is who liberals are and this is what liberals believe in.
Camile is a smart woman. She and Glen Greenwald are just about the only columnists worth reading on Salon, and I am constantly amazed that Walsh hasn't banned or censored them to the point where they just go away and let the site turn into a 24 hour a day liberal pep rally.
Anyone who thinks that acknowledging and accepting the fact that people from different places and different cultures, and who have a different perspective based on different experiences, is wrong is a bigot by definition. The implication in saying that you can't acknowledge that black people tend to have significant differences from white people, for example, is that those differences somehow diminish them. That is racism, pure and simple.
When these guys figure out that it's about treating everyone the same, not acting like they are the same, then they'll really be on to something.
That quote is classic. Couldn't describe the lefty fringe and Herr Limpet any better.
I also like to read Paglia's columns and have a very similar opinion of her. She's proof that there ARE intelligent and fair-minded liberals. It's too easy and too common to lump everyone in the same boat (much like some libs like to do to conservatives).
She is despised in many quarters of the left for being an independent thinker. They consider her an "Uncle Tom" of sorts for bucking the party line.